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Egypt Morsi: Mass political protests grip cities | Egypt Morsi: Mass political protests grip cities |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Huge protests across Egypt calling for the resignation of President Mohammed Morsi are continuing overnight. | |
In the capital, Cairo, tens of thousands of people are massed in Tahrir Square and outside the presidential palace. They have vowed to stay on until Mr Morsi steps down. | |
Stones and petrol bombs were thrown at the headquarters of the governing Muslim Brotherhood in the city. | |
Four people died in violent incidents in provincial cities. | Four people died in violent incidents in provincial cities. |
The protesters accuse the country's first Islamist president of failing to tackle economic and security problems since taking power a year ago. | |
A presidential spokesman urged the demonstrators to respect the democratic process, referring to Mr Morsi's victory in last year's elections which were widely seen as free and fair. | |
Meanwhile, Mr Morsi supporters staged a rally in the Cairo suburb of Nasr City. | |
One clear achievement of President Morsi's opponents has been to get so many people out on to the streets, BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen reports from Cairo. | |
The question they face now is how to fashion a political strategy that can rival the organisation of the Muslim Brotherhood, he says. | The question they face now is how to fashion a political strategy that can rival the organisation of the Muslim Brotherhood, he says. |
Another big question, he adds, is what the army will do. The defence minister has warned that the military may intervene if Egypt becomes ungovernable. | |
Society split | Society split |
On Sunday, one man was killed and at least 24 injured in Beni Suef, 115km (71 miles) south of Cairo, security sources said. | |
According to a report on the Ahram news website, Morsi supporters attacked an opposition rally and unidentified gunmen opened fire. The report could not be confirmed independently. | According to a report on the Ahram news website, Morsi supporters attacked an opposition rally and unidentified gunmen opened fire. The report could not be confirmed independently. |
In the southern city of Assiut, three people died and several were injured when shots were fired at protesters, reportedly by attackers on a motorcycle. | In the southern city of Assiut, three people died and several were injured when shots were fired at protesters, reportedly by attackers on a motorcycle. |
According to the health ministry, 253 people were injured across the country during Sunday's protests. | According to the health ministry, 253 people were injured across the country during Sunday's protests. |
In Cairo, unidentified persons attacked the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters, which had been fortified with sandbags earlier. Staff inside said they had not broken in, Reuters news agency reports. | In Cairo, unidentified persons attacked the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters, which had been fortified with sandbags earlier. Staff inside said they had not broken in, Reuters news agency reports. |
Demonstrations were also held in Alexandria, Port Said, Suez and other cities. | Demonstrations were also held in Alexandria, Port Said, Suez and other cities. |
Presidential spokesman Ihab Fahmi called on all Egyptians to "unite and listen to the sound of wisdom". | Presidential spokesman Ihab Fahmi called on all Egyptians to "unite and listen to the sound of wisdom". |
"Political diversity necessitates on all parties to abide by the democratic process," he said. | "Political diversity necessitates on all parties to abide by the democratic process," he said. |
And he reiterated that President Morsi was open to a "real and serious national dialogue". | |
As darkness fell, the opposition National Salvation Front (NSF) released what it called "Revolution Statement 1", calling on protesters across Egypt to "maintain their peaceful [rallies] in all the squares and streets and villages and hamlets of the country... until the last of this dictatorial regime falls". | |
The NSF is among liberal and secular opposition groups which have endorsed a petition organised by the grassroots movement Tamarod (Rebellion), which calls for a snap election. Opposition activists say more than 22 million people have signed it. | |
There was also some evidence of anti-American and anti-Israeli feeling among the protesters, with one flag portraying President Morsi inside a Star of David. | There was also some evidence of anti-American and anti-Israeli feeling among the protesters, with one flag portraying President Morsi inside a Star of David. |
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Cairo says many ordinary Egyptians - angered by Mr Morsi's political and economic policies - are taking part in the rally in Tahrir Square. | The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Cairo says many ordinary Egyptians - angered by Mr Morsi's political and economic policies - are taking part in the rally in Tahrir Square. |
At one point, army helicopters flew over Tahrir Square and dropped Egyptian flags, to cheers from the anti-Morsi crowd, he says. | At one point, army helicopters flew over Tahrir Square and dropped Egyptian flags, to cheers from the anti-Morsi crowd, he says. |
Mr Morsi, who hails from the Muslim Brotherhood, became president on 30 June 2012. | |
His first year as president has been marred by constant political unrest and a sinking economy. | His first year as president has been marred by constant political unrest and a sinking economy. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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